Course Overview
T-Levels bring together academic knowledge with practical experience.
The course will give you the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to progress into this sector.
T-Level summary:
- Two-year courses
- Equivalent to 3 A-Levels
- Worth up to 168 UCAS points (Triple Distinction*).
- Created alongside employers
- Includes an extended industry placement (315 hours minimum)
- Supports progression into university and a career in the industry
This T-Level course will be suitable for you if you have a genuine interest in working with children and young people and want a qualification that offers a licence to practice with children. It also provides flexibility to work in a range of job roles in education, health and social care with children and young people across the 0-19 age group. Working with children and young people requires a lot of patience and enthusiasm yet is highly rewarding.
Our tutors are all education and childcare professionals with extensive experience working in primary schools, early years settings and residential schools. The department has excellent links with many academic and sector partners, including the NHS, UCLan, Schools Direct, University of Cumbria, Children's Services and a wide range of schools, nurseries and children centres. As part of the course, you will undertake a minimum of 750 hours in industry placement over two years. This will include the full range of children's settings which will involve planning, implementing and evaluating play and learning experiences to support children's learning and development.
You will spend two days in placement and three days in college each week. In year one, you will study 12 elements of core knowledge:
- The broader education context
- Child development
- Supporting education
- Safeguarding health and well-being
- Behaviour
- Observation and assessment
- Equality and Diversity
- Special educational needs and disability
- English as an additional language
- Parents, families and carers
- Working with others
- Reflective practice
In year two, you will focus on completing an occupational specialism within Early Years Education and Childcare. This aims to develop the knowledge and skills required to enter the workplace as a competent practitioner or further study. It seeks to deepen the core knowledge developed in year one to practice within the early year's sector. Assessment includes exams, practical tasks, an employer-set project, assignments and observation of practice in industry placement.
Entry Requirements
This qualification is designed for students aged 16-18.
You should have a minimum of five GCSEs at Grade 4 or above, including English and Maths, or Level 2 Technical Diploma in Children's Play Learning and Development (Merit or Distinction) plus again a Grade 4 or above in English and Maths and a satisfactory tutor reference.
As part of the entry criteria for this course, you will need to have a full DBS certificate completed by the Disclosure and Barring service. This does not mean that if you have any previous convictions or warnings, you will not join this programme. Still, an assessment will be completed as to your suitability to progress on to the programme. Please discuss with us in confidence if you have concerns about the content of your check.
In addition, you will be given an interview with a member of the Education and Childcare team to assess your suitability and potential for successful completion of the course. You will also need to demonstrate good communication skills and a commitment to working with children.
NB: Enrolment on this course is dependent on meeting the Entry Requirements stated above.
After Your Course
There are three main progression routes following the completion of T-Level in Education & Childcare:
- Skilled employment within the Education and Childcare sector such as Education and Childcare assistant - Early Years Educator or within education roles such as a Learning Mentor.
- Higher Level apprenticeships at Level 4 and above may progress you into careers such as an Assessor in education.
- Higher Education as UCAS points has been awarded to T-Levels. See the UCAS website for more details. Progression routes onto Higher Educational pathways include education and childcare relevant Foundation Degrees and Degrees such as teaching, youth work and early years studies.
Fees
£0.00
The fee displayed is the course fee. Course fees are per year for full-time courses and per course for part-time courses.
Other costs may be associated with this course, e.g., kit, equipment, books, trips, etc. Financial support may be available to support you with these. See the Student Money pages for more information.
Courses fees
The current full-time & degree-level fee information is related to the 2024/25 academic year.
Level 3-6 Courses
Advanced Learning Loans are available for students aged 19 or over and studying eligible level 3, 4, 5 & 6 courses. If you are on an Access course, the loan will be written off if you complete a degree.
You may qualify for financial support to cover the cost of a Level 3 qualification if you do not already have a Level 3 qualification (this will depend on the course & your age on 31/08/24).
Please speak to Student Services for more information on course fees.
A-Levels
The fees displayed are for the one-year AS-Level course. If you would like to progress onto the full A-Level, please get in touch with us for the cost of the second year, as it will be different.
16-18 year olds
There are no course fees if you were aged 16-18 on 31/08/24 and are not studying at another institution.
